I was in Home Depot the other day grabbing some furnace filters and saw that they have the Milwaukee V28 Lithum-Ion set for $583, considerably less than the normal $730. I’m guessing this is the cheapest I will ever see the kit, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it? I just bought their 18V NiCD set a couple of years ago, and unfortunately, I don’t see it crapping out and giving me the excuse to buy the V28 anytime soon. Anybody with the experience with it want to give me a heads up? $580 is still a lot of money to me, but if it never comes down in price, I may have to jump on it.
Thanks
Young, poor, and eager to learn
Replies
Jump!
Well, it's tough, but somebody has to volunteer. Go ahead and send me your 18v set and then you'll have good reason to buy the 28v.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I bought the V28 kit yesterday at bigorangebox.
I had the chance to use a pre-production version of the V28 right angle drill and it was unbelievable. It ran a 3/4" by 18" ship auger bit through 4x4 and stacked 2x4 framing like a corded tool.
I was roughing in the wiring on an addition/remodel, and not having to mess with the cord was nice. I got through most of a day (a hundred fifty or so 5/8" and 3/4" holes mostly through 2-by framing) on one battery.
If I'm wiring a whole house, I'll use the corded RA drill for most of it. But the V28 has it's place.
As far as the kit, the sawzall feels as solid as the corded version. Same adjustable shoe, and QR blade clamp.
Also, if you think you'll ever have much need for a rotohammer where you don't want to have to string a a cord (like with the 45 foot boom lift I was up in recently), Mil. is bringing out a V28 rotohammer early next year. Wish I'd had the V28 roto last week, 'cuz the yellow hammer drill was slow...real slow. When it's drizzling and windy, and you're up 35 feet, fast is good.
Go for it,
My name is Cliff and I'm a toolaholic....
I don't own a 28v kit, but I built a porch this past fall with a colleague that did -- so I got a chance to use them.
My take: the CS is great; it was powerful, and would handle anything a corded CS would do.
The recip saw was okay, but not in the same league as its corded cousin.
Didn't use the drill much, and never the hammer function; general impression was that it is equal to any other cordless drill, or better.
Overall, I thought the kit would be nice to have, but not essential. It really depends on the type of work you do (far from an outlet) and your tolerance for walking around cords.
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
got the circ saw 2 days ago and no matter what anyone says its power is not up there with a corded saw. doesn't come close to a worm drive. having said that, it's a HUGE improvement over my 18v mak.
has anyone got anything to report about the sawzall? the makita 18v recipro IMO could only ever be regarded as the sort of tool that you used to crawl into or under with for one short task, and even then it's pretty weak.
The V28 sawzall has replaced its corded cousin in our service. It is safer and faster in production demolition. The CS may not retire its corded varient. V28 does not have an impact driver as yet, but I would imagine it would be overkill. We use panasonic drivers and should one of them ever cak, I would replace it with the Lion Makita which is currently the best option.
Edited 12/23/2005 5:49 am ET by foobytor
It may not be essential to buy the kit but getting it that way is definitely less money. I have the 18V hammer drill and it works as well as I could want, but having the 28V would allow for more torque and longer battery use. As I have said in other posts, I went to the Milwaukee Tool engineering facility and when I looked near the side door, there were two 2x12s stading up with (I counted) 66 holes in each. 2-9/16" holes, which is the size of the largest self-feeding bit. 66 holes in rapid succession on one battery for each board. That's pretty good for battery powered tools.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Thank you so much for the post! I bought the V28 combo kit on 11-25 and I remembered that HD will match a lower price if it is within 30 days. So I went to the HD I always go to and this gal that is there that I always end up chitchatting with was manning the returns! Yay! She matched the $583 price AND gave me the 10% discount because it was a lower price (the policy is that they beat the price plus 10%). So I ended up only paying $524.70 plus tax for a total of $569.73!
You just saved me a bunch of money :)
Handyman, painter, wood floor refinisher, property maintenance in Tulsa, OK
Glad I could help...
I wound up not getting the kit, because I figured I already have the 18V and need other tools more badly than replacing a damn near new set. Once the 18V gets busted up or stolen, then I will look to the V28. By that time all, if any bugs should be worked out of them.
Merry Christmas to all!
Young, poor, and eager to learn